The Riddle of the Orcas: How Orcas are Taking Back the Ocean. Why They Attack Boats.

by Thomas Kaesbohrer

The behavior of a group of orcas attacking sailboats off the coasts of Spain, Portugal and in the Strait of Gibraltar is puzzling and leaves room for much Is the ocean fighting back? Are killer whales avenging the death of a baby in one of the world's busiest waterways? Has a group of orcas even declared humans to be their enemy? Are they defending their habitat from fishermen who have brought their food source, bluefin tuna, to the brink of extinction? Are the orcas fighting back against being forced out of a habitat that is theirs? Or is it all perhaps just a game with an unpredictable outcome?

What seems like a detail from Frank Schätzing's novel "The Swarm" has become reality. Dramatic scenes are unfolding off the coast of Portugal, Spain and in the Strait of Orcas are attacking sailboats, destroying their rudder systems and rendering them unable to maneuver. The traumatized crews have to watch helplessly as their dream of sailing is literally torn to pieces. At sea, they are easy prey for the giants, which attack the boats' rudders in small groups and force the crews to send a call for help to the coast guard or, in extreme cases, to abandon their sinking vessel. Hundreds of such incidents have been documented. But what's behind them?

One question can we still create a sustainable future for humans and orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar and off the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula? Thomas Käsbohrer takes up the trail of the riddle of the orcas. He talks to affected sailors, marine biologists, conservationists and animal experts and follows the route of the orcas from the coasts of Western Europe to British Columbia and Antarctica. It is a search into a great unknown and into the question of how far man has penetrated into a natural environment that is not his. A gripping book that sheds light on the riddle of the orcas.

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Debora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dies ist kein wissenschaftlich geschriebenes Sachbuch. Der Autor hat Augenzeugeberichte gesammelt und sie mit verschiedensten Spekulationen geschmückt. Es wurden auch Wissenschaftler befragt, aber auch dort wurden oft nur subjektive Meinungen gesammelt. Es werden viele angebliche Fakten vermittelt, aber es wird keine einzige Quelle angegeben. Peinliche Fehler wie "Bottleneck Delfin" anstatt Grosser Tümmler oder wenigstens Bottlenose Dolphin und falsche Bemerkungen wie "Delfine sind nie aggressiv gegen ihre Artgenossen" nehmen dem Buch die Glaubwürdigkeit. Der Autor hat sich vor diesem Buch offensichtlich noch nie mit Meeressäugern auseinandergesetzt. Dass er sich nicht einmal ins Wasser traute um einem verletzten Delfin zu helfen zeigt, wie wenig er über diese Tiere weiss. Die Schlussfolgerungen, die er aus den wenigen Interviews erziehlt, zeigen, wie subjektiv die gesamte Erzählung ist. Eine Sammlung der Berichte und echter Forschungsergebnisse wäre hilfreicher gewesen.

[Tammy Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative book regarding Orcas attacking boats off the coast of Spain the past few years. As of the writing there have been about 400 attacks and two boats sunk no injuries. Are the orcas playing? Are they retaliating against humans? Is it due to stress from lack of food? Perhaps it’s a teaching tool. The book goes into many instances and the different ways in which they were handled. It will be interesting to see if this behavior continues or if it is merely a “Fad” that this orca pod will tire from.

[Adriaan Verheul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read on why Orcas break sailboat rudders.

Fascinating and well written. Offers interesting, if not always convincing analyses of prevailing explanations of orca behavior, but little in terms of practical solutions. In particular, I thought that the use of sand as a deterrent and sound screen was too easily rejected. Recommended reading for any sailor west of Gibraltar.

[Joao Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, informative and educational

The author did an excellent job of presenting the experiences and views of many people involved in orca encounters. Also in getting similar big-animal experience from others. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in orcas and/or cetaceans.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faszinierende Sammlung von Erfahrungsberichten, die wie eine Spurensuche geschrieben ist. Kässbohrer zeigt viele Theorien auf, ohne sich darin verbeissen. So regt er zum Nachdenken an und das Buch macht unmissverständlich klar, dass wir Menschen noch viel zu wenig über die Natur wissen- obwohl wir es oft glauben.

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

[Franziska M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book, it was quite clearly stated that it’s just a collection of theories and stories and NOT the scientific answer to the mystery of orcas attacking boats.

[Jasmin Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der Autor recherchierte viel uns ausgiebig. Er bringt Sichtweise zu Papier, auf die man selbst nie kommen würde. Leider sind Orcas nicht gut erforscht, so dass das Buch nur auf Spekulation basiert, aber dennoch plausible Ansätze bringt.

[Ladina Oswald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Das Buch birgt viele spannende Informationen rund um die Orcas, sowie auch andere Meeresbewohner. Für mich gab es jedoch etwas viele Wiederholungen und ich fand es etwas langatmig. Den Inhalt hätte man auf viel weniger Seiten erzählen können.